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HONOLULU (July 24, 2014) – After previously choosing to only endorse Councilman Stanley Chang, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), the largest caucus of congressional Democrats, announced today its endorsement of State Rep. Mark Takai for the open seat in Hawaii’s first congressional district. This endorsement adds to the building momentum of the Takai campaign, after the recent Honolulu Star-Advertiser endorsement.

“I am honored to receive the support and endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” Takai said. “Our campaign is rooted in core Democratic values, like increasing the minimum wage, ensuring marriage equality, and protecting the benefits our seniors have earned.”

The Congressional Progressive Caucus was founded in 1991. Co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) and Keith Ellison (MN-05), the CPC includes 67 members of the House of Representatives, making up the second-largest voting bloc in the 113th Congress. The Caucus works together with progressives both inside and outside of Congress to advocate for its agenda, known as “The Progressive Promise-Fairness for All.” Progressive Action PAC supports candidates who share the Caucus’s vision for America.

U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17), the chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is among a number of House Members to publicly recognize Mark Takai as the viable progressive voice in this Congressional race.

“Mark Takai is the perfect choice to follow Colleen Hanabusa in representing Hawaii. He has the passion, experience, and values that set him apart from the rest of the field. Mark Takai’s focus on education, working families, seniors, and our veterans is exactly what Hawaii, and America, needs. Mark Takai is a true progressive who is more than ready, and able, to serve. I look forward to his election in November, and serving with him in the House for many years to come,” Honda said.

U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), who serves as Co-Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, joined Honda in recognizing Takai’s leadership.

“If Hawaii voters want to stand up for progressive values, then they have a clear choice for Congress in Mark Takai. In Hawaii’s House of Representatives, Mark Takai has fought for seniors, veterans, and working families. His record of military service and unwavering support for equality for all Americans make him an outstanding candidate. As a former high school teacher, I particularly appreciate his commitment to public education. We need a courageous leader and progressive champion like Mark Takai in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Takano said.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (NY-03) contributed to Takai’s congressional campaign. Israel, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) donated $1,000 from his New York Jobs PAC.

“I am grateful to Chairman Israel for his support,” Takai said. “Hawaii needs will not be met by bullying, intimidation, scare tactics, or partisan games. Knowing that we (Hawaii) will have friends in Congress from day one is very important.”

Reps. Honda, Israel, and Takano highlight a growing contingent of support from current elected members of Congress that includes U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jared Polis (CO-02), and Tammy Duckworth (IL-08).

“I am humbled to have the support of so many potential colleagues and such a wide base of environmental, labor, social rights groups, and veterans support,” Takai added.

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Mark Takai is a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or Department of the Army.